Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween!
I was beginning to think Blogger didn't love me anymore, this puppy took forever to load!
Hope you all have scary ghouls at your door tonight!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
FO's and Stash Enhancement, again....
I am, I think, the one zillionth person to finish a pair of Jaywalkers. I made them with this yarn. This Mountain Colors is wonderful to knit with and even nicer to wear. So very, very soft.
I also finished these itty, wrist warmers. I took five stitches out of the pattern so it would fit my tiny nieces.
That little tripod is all the yarn I had left from this skein. I found this wool from a seller on ebay. She's got some wild color combinations and pretty good prices.
Now, my husband says he would like some purple socks. I placed an order with KnitPicks. One pair is Gopher colors and one is more of a Vikings purple. He quickly placed his order for the Gopher socks. I didn't tell him the color name is Peony!
DH and I have our 16 year anniversary tomorrow. We get to go out for a yummy dinner at Wildfire. I think I'll stop eating right now. Puck's big football game is Saturday at 1:30. Should be a gorgeous day!
I am, I think, the one zillionth person to finish a pair of Jaywalkers. I made them with this yarn. This Mountain Colors is wonderful to knit with and even nicer to wear. So very, very soft.
I also finished these itty, wrist warmers. I took five stitches out of the pattern so it would fit my tiny nieces.
That little tripod is all the yarn I had left from this skein. I found this wool from a seller on ebay. She's got some wild color combinations and pretty good prices.Now, my husband says he would like some purple socks. I placed an order with KnitPicks. One pair is Gopher colors and one is more of a Vikings purple. He quickly placed his order for the Gopher socks. I didn't tell him the color name is Peony!
DH and I have our 16 year anniversary tomorrow. We get to go out for a yummy dinner at Wildfire. I think I'll stop eating right now. Puck's big football game is Saturday at 1:30. Should be a gorgeous day!
Monday, October 23, 2006
The Reveal:
Here is what was in my package from my SP9 Pal, "Just Me"
First there was this:
Isn't that a great bag?
And then this:
Some yummy cider mixes.
And of course, these special little trinkets:
Wouldn't that make you feel special on a very gloomy day? Thank you, Just Me!
I actually have progress and FO's from the weekend, and even my Knit Picks package, but I'm going to save those for another day. I think that SP surprise deserves to stand all on it's own!
I picked up the Holiday issue of Vogue Knitting and am taking my own sweet time paging through it. (le sigh) I also wandered over to the Chocolate Swap site just to see if there were more packages revealed and I have to tell you, somebody got this yarn and I am SO envious!! How yummy would those socks be? I am putting myself on a yarn diet/Weight Watchers program and I think this yarn is going to be my reward after a month and or 8 pounds, whichever comes first.
Here is what was in my package from my SP9 Pal, "Just Me"
First there was this:
Isn't that a great bag?
Some yummy cider mixes.And this:
No really, there isn't a package of Pez missing...
No really, there isn't a package of Pez missing...And I can't forget these:
I shall be soft and smell yummy too.
I shall be soft and smell yummy too.
And of course, these special little trinkets:
Sorry these are a little blurry - but these are little high heeled shoes!
Wouldn't that make you feel special on a very gloomy day? Thank you, Just Me!
I actually have progress and FO's from the weekend, and even my Knit Picks package, but I'm going to save those for another day. I think that SP surprise deserves to stand all on it's own!
I picked up the Holiday issue of Vogue Knitting and am taking my own sweet time paging through it. (le sigh) I also wandered over to the Chocolate Swap site just to see if there were more packages revealed and I have to tell you, somebody got this yarn and I am SO envious!! How yummy would those socks be? I am putting myself on a yarn diet/Weight Watchers program and I think this yarn is going to be my reward after a month and or 8 pounds, whichever comes first.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
I GOT MY FIRST GOODIE PACKAGE:
My SP9 Pal is rockin' it already! I am waiting for some natural light to photograph - look for photos tomorrow: hint - this gal is an overachiever!
See that envelope there on the left? That is from my SP - she calls herself "Just Me" - cute?
(The box on the right is my own doing - Knit Picks makes my life just a little bit better....)
I promise to be chattier tomorrow - this weekend I had to be a single parent. Puck and I had togetherness at Costco and bought some Halloween decor at Menards! Yay ugly bats and scary glowy hands!
How much did the Amazing Race make you feel good tonight? I tried to explain Karma to Puck today (he's 10); he and I watch The Amazing Race together, and have for the last three seasons. He sat down next to me towards the end and he said, "I'm glad the Cho brothers aren't eliminated this week. Hey! They had good karma mom." (Then at the end, we decided that Peter was seeing the benefit of his BAD karma!)
Here's to good karma!
My SP9 Pal is rockin' it already! I am waiting for some natural light to photograph - look for photos tomorrow: hint - this gal is an overachiever!
See that envelope there on the left? That is from my SP - she calls herself "Just Me" - cute?
(The box on the right is my own doing - Knit Picks makes my life just a little bit better....)
I promise to be chattier tomorrow - this weekend I had to be a single parent. Puck and I had togetherness at Costco and bought some Halloween decor at Menards! Yay ugly bats and scary glowy hands!
How much did the Amazing Race make you feel good tonight? I tried to explain Karma to Puck today (he's 10); he and I watch The Amazing Race together, and have for the last three seasons. He sat down next to me towards the end and he said, "I'm glad the Cho brothers aren't eliminated this week. Hey! They had good karma mom." (Then at the end, we decided that Peter was seeing the benefit of his BAD karma!)
Here's to good karma!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Spunky!
I promised you some pictures of new yarn. Well, here it is. I bought it here.
She has lighter weight yarn at Spunky Hats but I liked the sport weight - it's very soft and scrunchy. So I got the Snow in Napa (for me) and the Uncola for my SP9 pal - it's pretty limey - but she said she likes everything green. I'm erally hunting for little somethings that have that something extra - any ideas for me? She likes ballet and classical music and no sugar! Yeek.
Snow in Napa
The Uncola
I promised you some pictures of new yarn. Well, here it is. I bought it here.
She has lighter weight yarn at Spunky Hats but I liked the sport weight - it's very soft and scrunchy. So I got the Snow in Napa (for me) and the Uncola for my SP9 pal - it's pretty limey - but she said she likes everything green. I'm erally hunting for little somethings that have that something extra - any ideas for me? She likes ballet and classical music and no sugar! Yeek.
Snow in Napa
The Uncola
The big boys are heading out hunting in the morning, leaving Puck and myself home to hang out. MEA weekend leaves him without a lot of pals so he's going to have to smile and dial in the morning.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Dig that Funky Scarf!!
I got this package yesterday so I had to share it with you.
This is the Funky Scarf I received from the Funky Scarf Swap.
She also tucked some sour candy in the package for me ...sorry no photo. The Sour Patch Kids lasted 24 hours. I'm saving the Altoids for my purse. Thank you Beth! (I'm not sure if she has a blog or not - Beth was the only name she signed to the card.)
I also received a package with some sock yarn in it...photos to come. I also have a photo of these FO's:
How sweet are these? My little nieces (9 and 11) are getting these in their Christmas packages with some gift cards tucked inside. Now my next door neighbor girls are giving me the puppy eyes for a pair each. They only take about a day and a half to make and are so cute.
So Puck has started hockey and his football team is in the championship playoffs next week. For anyone who knows - I will be driving and cold for the next four months. DH and the teenager are heading out to Eureka, South Dakota this weekend to hunt at his cousin's farm. Something really cool? National Geographic is going to be at the farm - they are doing a piece on the generational aspects of hunting. How cool would that be if my teenager was in National Geographic?
Enjoy your MEA weekend.
I got this package yesterday so I had to share it with you.
This is the Funky Scarf I received from the Funky Scarf Swap.
She also tucked some sour candy in the package for me ...sorry no photo. The Sour Patch Kids lasted 24 hours. I'm saving the Altoids for my purse. Thank you Beth! (I'm not sure if she has a blog or not - Beth was the only name she signed to the card.)
I also received a package with some sock yarn in it...photos to come. I also have a photo of these FO's:
How sweet are these? My little nieces (9 and 11) are getting these in their Christmas packages with some gift cards tucked inside. Now my next door neighbor girls are giving me the puppy eyes for a pair each. They only take about a day and a half to make and are so cute.So Puck has started hockey and his football team is in the championship playoffs next week. For anyone who knows - I will be driving and cold for the next four months. DH and the teenager are heading out to Eureka, South Dakota this weekend to hunt at his cousin's farm. Something really cool? National Geographic is going to be at the farm - they are doing a piece on the generational aspects of hunting. How cool would that be if my teenager was in National Geographic?
Enjoy your MEA weekend.
Monday, October 16, 2006
No wonder my yarn stash keeps getting so fat...
Lisa Souza...oh my
I keep falling off my yarn diet!!!
Shhh! This one's for my SP9 Pal...
And my friend and I went sale shopping on Friday to Fun Sisters in Minneapolis and I got this...could be a great new purse, but it makes a killer knitting bag!
I am off to work on my second pair of Fetching gauntlets, a little on my Jaywalkers and Banff still sits next to my chair...which will I finish first? I predict the Fetching...
Lisa Souza...oh my
I keep falling off my yarn diet!!!
Shhh! This one's for my SP9 Pal...
And my friend and I went sale shopping on Friday to Fun Sisters in Minneapolis and I got this...could be a great new purse, but it makes a killer knitting bag!
I am off to work on my second pair of Fetching gauntlets, a little on my Jaywalkers and Banff still sits next to my chair...which will I finish first? I predict the Fetching...
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Book List - Delayed:
I give you some more of the books I've read as part of my 52 books in 52 weeks project. I am currently reading book #52, so I am about 10 books ahead of myself!! Here are numbers 20-26:
26. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See(6/15/06)
This novel set in 19th-century China details the story of lifelong, intimate friends (laotong, or "old sames") Lily and Snow Flower, how they are confined by rigid codes of conduct for women and how they are hurt by pride and love. This book was so well-written; very lyrical. I grew to love both women and shared their hurt in the end. I highly recommend this book.
25. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate di Camillo (6/15/06)
Ms. di Camillo is from Minnesota and she has written What about Winn Dixie, Tiger Rising and the Tale of Desperaux. I've only read Edward and Tale of Desperaux. It's a lovely story about a vain and selfish bunny who undergoes awful trials and hurt, has his heart broken and finally learns to love unselfishly. This is a kids book, but I know a lot of grownups who could benefit from the moral.
24. Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood (6/18/06)
I have to give you the description from Amazon.com because I can't do this book justice:
"The victim of a hit-and-run accident, Lizzy Mitchell is left by the driver in the middle of the median, hurt and adrift. Later Lizzie comes to see the accident as indicative of her life up to that point. Raised by her uncle Mike, a Maine priest, Lizzy grows up surrounded by his devotion to ministry. But at age nine, her comfortable world crumbles when her uncle is accused of molestation. Lizzy, now a high-school counselor, is still trying to make sense of what happened to her uncle. Wood's characters, similar to those in Mary Lawson's Crow Lake (2002), show refreshing depth and complexity as they each grapple with the irrefutable power of the past. This emotional story is filled with crisp, rich details that linger in the memory much like the Moxie soda that Lizzy recalls from her Maine summers. Wood's stirring domestic drama is full of surprises as it explores the weighty themes of religion, perceived innocence, and the corrosive quality of best intentions."
Wow - really. Read this book. So good.
23. Night Swimming by Robin Schwarz (6/22/06)
Lame. Saccharin. Predictable. Wow. Chick lit at it's worst.
22. Jemima J by Jane Green (6/26/06)
Pale imitation of Bridget Jones. Even down to the floppy-haired Casanova. I loved Bridget Jones, but there is more than one lovable loser in this world, you don’t have to photocopy her. Sheesh.
21. The Bookseller of Kabul by Anne Seierstad (7/2/06)
This is another one that I'm going to give you Amazon's description for: "After living for three months with the Kabul bookseller Sultan Khan in the spring of 2002, Norwegian journalist Seierstad penned this astounding portrait of a nation recovering from war, undergoing political flux and mired in misogyny and poverty. As a Westerner, she has the privilege of traveling between the worlds of men and women, and though the book is ostensibly a portrait of Khan, its real strength is the intimacy and brutal honesty with which it portrays the lives of Afghani living under fundamentalist Islam. Seierstad also expertly outlines Sultan's fight to preserve whatever he can of the literary life of the capital during its numerous decades of warfare (he stashed some 10,000 books in attics around town). Seierstad, though only 31, is a veteran war reporter and a skilled observer; as she hides behind her burqa, the men in the Sultan's family become so comfortable with her presence that she accompanies one of Sultan's sons on a religious pilgrimage and witnesses another buy sex from a beggar girl-then offer her to his brother. This is only one of many equally shocking stories Seierstad uncovers. In another, an adulteress is suffocated by her three brothers as ordered by their mother. Seierstad's visceral account is equally seductive and repulsive and resembles the work of Martha Gellhorn. An international bestseller, it will likely stand as one of the best books of reportage of Afghan life after the fall of the Taliban."
Mind bending and mind opening. A peephole into another world.
20. Girl’s Night Out Edited by Chris Manby, Carole Matthews and Sarah Mlynowski (7/5/06)
I bought this book because one of the 25 stores was written by a blogger that I have read for years. Pamie Ribon. I have to say, her story was my favorite of all 25, but at the (Target) price, it was a bargain.
So today we make the transition from 5th grade Football to 5th grade Hockey. Sigh. I miss Lacrosse.
I give you some more of the books I've read as part of my 52 books in 52 weeks project. I am currently reading book #52, so I am about 10 books ahead of myself!! Here are numbers 20-26:
26. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See(6/15/06)
This novel set in 19th-century China details the story of lifelong, intimate friends (laotong, or "old sames") Lily and Snow Flower, how they are confined by rigid codes of conduct for women and how they are hurt by pride and love. This book was so well-written; very lyrical. I grew to love both women and shared their hurt in the end. I highly recommend this book.
25. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate di Camillo (6/15/06)
Ms. di Camillo is from Minnesota and she has written What about Winn Dixie, Tiger Rising and the Tale of Desperaux. I've only read Edward and Tale of Desperaux. It's a lovely story about a vain and selfish bunny who undergoes awful trials and hurt, has his heart broken and finally learns to love unselfishly. This is a kids book, but I know a lot of grownups who could benefit from the moral.
24. Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood (6/18/06)
I have to give you the description from Amazon.com because I can't do this book justice:
"The victim of a hit-and-run accident, Lizzy Mitchell is left by the driver in the middle of the median, hurt and adrift. Later Lizzie comes to see the accident as indicative of her life up to that point. Raised by her uncle Mike, a Maine priest, Lizzy grows up surrounded by his devotion to ministry. But at age nine, her comfortable world crumbles when her uncle is accused of molestation. Lizzy, now a high-school counselor, is still trying to make sense of what happened to her uncle. Wood's characters, similar to those in Mary Lawson's Crow Lake (2002), show refreshing depth and complexity as they each grapple with the irrefutable power of the past. This emotional story is filled with crisp, rich details that linger in the memory much like the Moxie soda that Lizzy recalls from her Maine summers. Wood's stirring domestic drama is full of surprises as it explores the weighty themes of religion, perceived innocence, and the corrosive quality of best intentions."
Wow - really. Read this book. So good.
23. Night Swimming by Robin Schwarz (6/22/06)
Lame. Saccharin. Predictable. Wow. Chick lit at it's worst.
22. Jemima J by Jane Green (6/26/06)
Pale imitation of Bridget Jones. Even down to the floppy-haired Casanova. I loved Bridget Jones, but there is more than one lovable loser in this world, you don’t have to photocopy her. Sheesh.
21. The Bookseller of Kabul by Anne Seierstad (7/2/06)
This is another one that I'm going to give you Amazon's description for: "After living for three months with the Kabul bookseller Sultan Khan in the spring of 2002, Norwegian journalist Seierstad penned this astounding portrait of a nation recovering from war, undergoing political flux and mired in misogyny and poverty. As a Westerner, she has the privilege of traveling between the worlds of men and women, and though the book is ostensibly a portrait of Khan, its real strength is the intimacy and brutal honesty with which it portrays the lives of Afghani living under fundamentalist Islam. Seierstad also expertly outlines Sultan's fight to preserve whatever he can of the literary life of the capital during its numerous decades of warfare (he stashed some 10,000 books in attics around town). Seierstad, though only 31, is a veteran war reporter and a skilled observer; as she hides behind her burqa, the men in the Sultan's family become so comfortable with her presence that she accompanies one of Sultan's sons on a religious pilgrimage and witnesses another buy sex from a beggar girl-then offer her to his brother. This is only one of many equally shocking stories Seierstad uncovers. In another, an adulteress is suffocated by her three brothers as ordered by their mother. Seierstad's visceral account is equally seductive and repulsive and resembles the work of Martha Gellhorn. An international bestseller, it will likely stand as one of the best books of reportage of Afghan life after the fall of the Taliban."
Mind bending and mind opening. A peephole into another world.
20. Girl’s Night Out Edited by Chris Manby, Carole Matthews and Sarah Mlynowski (7/5/06)
I bought this book because one of the 25 stores was written by a blogger that I have read for years. Pamie Ribon. I have to say, her story was my favorite of all 25, but at the (Target) price, it was a bargain.
So today we make the transition from 5th grade Football to 5th grade Hockey. Sigh. I miss Lacrosse.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Pictures, pictures, pictures!
I seem to have a lot to share this week. Holy cow, SNOW! Can you believe it? This is the Minnesota I know and love. None of that namby, pamby, warm Autumn weather for us! (don't worry, this won't last....)
Let's see...the pretty, pretty trinkets I bought at the Cranberry Festival. I bought this gorgeous green, black and brown necklace and these earrings were only $4.00 (see them hanging on the edge of the vase?)
I also bought this coral bead necklace. I have been looking for a coral necklace for about a year, and this was so, so coral-ly!
These earrings were at the same spot as the $4 bargain ones. The beads are jet black and they are very, very elegant. I may birthday gift these to my sister, who has the unfortunate luck of being born two weeks before Christmas.
WIP you say? Why yes, I do have a few. Remember I said last week I had Fetching in the line up? Well here it is a day and a half for one. I may make a slew of these for Christmas. Smaller for my nieces in pink and teal? (I have tiny little pre-teen nieces - itty bitty things.)
And remember Banff? Well here is the back and this photo may be the closest in color so far. The front is cast on, but no stitches yet.
And last, but not least, a FO! Puck's slouchy socks in Trekking XXL, colorway unknown, because I throw those labels out as fast as I start 'em.
You may notice they seem a little fuzzy around the bottoms. Well, that's because Puck discovered how wonderfully they slide across the faux-wood floor.
It is 29 degrees right now, and my ten year old Puck has his last regular season football game tonight. Brrr. Did I tell you his team is undefeated? They have got the rockinest coaches, they tell the kids how proud they are of their work ethic and ability to play as a team. Guess I'll pack up some hot cocoa for those boys tonight.
Coming up - new yarn ordered on-line! Whoo-hoo! Some of it is secret 'cause it's for a Secret Pal!!
I seem to have a lot to share this week. Holy cow, SNOW! Can you believe it? This is the Minnesota I know and love. None of that namby, pamby, warm Autumn weather for us! (don't worry, this won't last....)
Let's see...the pretty, pretty trinkets I bought at the Cranberry Festival. I bought this gorgeous green, black and brown necklace and these earrings were only $4.00 (see them hanging on the edge of the vase?)
I also bought this coral bead necklace. I have been looking for a coral necklace for about a year, and this was so, so coral-ly!
These earrings were at the same spot as the $4 bargain ones. The beads are jet black and they are very, very elegant. I may birthday gift these to my sister, who has the unfortunate luck of being born two weeks before Christmas.WIP you say? Why yes, I do have a few. Remember I said last week I had Fetching in the line up? Well here it is a day and a half for one. I may make a slew of these for Christmas. Smaller for my nieces in pink and teal? (I have tiny little pre-teen nieces - itty bitty things.)
And remember Banff? Well here is the back and this photo may be the closest in color so far. The front is cast on, but no stitches yet.
And last, but not least, a FO! Puck's slouchy socks in Trekking XXL, colorway unknown, because I throw those labels out as fast as I start 'em.
You may notice they seem a little fuzzy around the bottoms. Well, that's because Puck discovered how wonderfully they slide across the faux-wood floor.It is 29 degrees right now, and my ten year old Puck has his last regular season football game tonight. Brrr. Did I tell you his team is undefeated? They have got the rockinest coaches, they tell the kids how proud they are of their work ethic and ability to play as a team. Guess I'll pack up some hot cocoa for those boys tonight.
Coming up - new yarn ordered on-line! Whoo-hoo! Some of it is secret 'cause it's for a Secret Pal!!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Cranberry Festival - Stone Lake, Wisconsin
A weekend full of wine, shopping, good food and WIP's. Gosh it was a beautiful weekend. The leaves were at the tail-end of their peak color. The temperature was relatively warm and balmy. My mom and I got up there around 6 on Friday and my SIL was busy cooking dinner for us. Yummy flatbread pizza and salad with Cranberry Cosmos to drink. The moon was full and the sky was clear. Mom and I headed back to our cabin early, but my SIL's sat out on the deck in the hot tub and counted stars. We had the rude awakening of realizing the pump plug was shorted out, so we had no water. Luckily, my SIL #1 has a boyfriend who digs wells for a living and he is quite conversant with pumps and was able to fix it for us on Saturday morning.
I crawled out of bed early Saturday and crept into SIL #1's house to steal a shower before I went back to pick up mom to go to the Cranberry Festival. Lots and lots of booths with crafts and other assorted items you find at art fair type settings. I found some really cute necklaces and earrings - I'll take some photos tomorrow of those. I even found a booth where a woman had a spinning wheel and some llamas. She was selling handspun, hand-dyed llama yarn. I contemplated some, but decided to take a vacation from buying fiber this weekend.
However, I did do some knitting and I found some beautiful hand-turned bowls. They're made by this very charming older gentleman. These bowls would sell for twice the price he asks for them if he sold them in a shop in Hayward or Brainerd. He is delightful, and so are his bowls:
I plugged away at the Banff sweater - I'm sure I will pick up speed on this. The color of this sweater is not nearly so fuschia.
I also managed to knit sock #2 down to the heel flap. I actually finished it tonight and Puck slid them on and decided they were a very nice option to bare feet in this cold weather.
Now, however, DH wants a pair, in purple. Purple and gold.
After we returned to the cabin, mom and I spent the afternoon on the deck; reading and napping. SIL #1 and #2 plus MIL joined us around 4:00 for games and wine, and eventually, for dinner. Much to my chagrine, I also discovered that while we had water, we had no heat. The pilot light on the boiler had gone out and required matches to be re-lit. Once again the boyfriend was called and begged to help us out. He didn't get over there until Sunday night, but the temperature didn't drop below 65 degrees so we were good.
We packed up and headed for the Cities around 10 am on Sunday and made it home by 12:30 so I got to watch the Vikings actually win, yay!
I have to mail a Funky Scarf in the morning and now I get to start shopping for my Secret Pal for the SP9 Swap!
A weekend full of wine, shopping, good food and WIP's. Gosh it was a beautiful weekend. The leaves were at the tail-end of their peak color. The temperature was relatively warm and balmy. My mom and I got up there around 6 on Friday and my SIL was busy cooking dinner for us. Yummy flatbread pizza and salad with Cranberry Cosmos to drink. The moon was full and the sky was clear. Mom and I headed back to our cabin early, but my SIL's sat out on the deck in the hot tub and counted stars. We had the rude awakening of realizing the pump plug was shorted out, so we had no water. Luckily, my SIL #1 has a boyfriend who digs wells for a living and he is quite conversant with pumps and was able to fix it for us on Saturday morning.
I crawled out of bed early Saturday and crept into SIL #1's house to steal a shower before I went back to pick up mom to go to the Cranberry Festival. Lots and lots of booths with crafts and other assorted items you find at art fair type settings. I found some really cute necklaces and earrings - I'll take some photos tomorrow of those. I even found a booth where a woman had a spinning wheel and some llamas. She was selling handspun, hand-dyed llama yarn. I contemplated some, but decided to take a vacation from buying fiber this weekend.
However, I did do some knitting and I found some beautiful hand-turned bowls. They're made by this very charming older gentleman. These bowls would sell for twice the price he asks for them if he sold them in a shop in Hayward or Brainerd. He is delightful, and so are his bowls:
I plugged away at the Banff sweater - I'm sure I will pick up speed on this. The color of this sweater is not nearly so fuschia.
I also managed to knit sock #2 down to the heel flap. I actually finished it tonight and Puck slid them on and decided they were a very nice option to bare feet in this cold weather.
Now, however, DH wants a pair, in purple. Purple and gold.
After we returned to the cabin, mom and I spent the afternoon on the deck; reading and napping. SIL #1 and #2 plus MIL joined us around 4:00 for games and wine, and eventually, for dinner. Much to my chagrine, I also discovered that while we had water, we had no heat. The pilot light on the boiler had gone out and required matches to be re-lit. Once again the boyfriend was called and begged to help us out. He didn't get over there until Sunday night, but the temperature didn't drop below 65 degrees so we were good.
We packed up and headed for the Cities around 10 am on Sunday and made it home by 12:30 so I got to watch the Vikings actually win, yay!
I have to mail a Funky Scarf in the morning and now I get to start shopping for my Secret Pal for the SP9 Swap!
I received this in the mail on Friday from my Chocolate Swap Pal MamaUrchin. I am trying to make those truffles last a while, cause I won't fit in my chair if I get too wide! I was in the wilds of Northern Wisconsin this weekend buying cranberry-themed items and hand carved wooden bowls, playing Mad Gab and drinking wine. Photos later, but do check out the chocolatey goodness!
SWAK!
SWAK!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Our Twins are havin' a bad week! Well, they have one more chance I say: GO TWINS!
Yesterday, I was moping around the house threatening to turn the A/C on, (humidity and I, not such good pals), this morning I ran around the house closing up windows because it was so chilly. What a gorgeous Autumn day. In the meantime, the kids already have days off from school. HS has Thursday/Friday and K-12 has Friday.
The nice weather bodes well for my weekend. Our little town of Stone Lake has their big Cranberry Festival this weekend. Lots of little vendor/craft booths and food for sale. I invite all the womenfolk in my family to join me at our cabin so we can hang out and relax. We wander into town and do some shopping and eating, then sit around at the cabin and play games and drink until dinner time. We through something on the grill and have a little cookfest and all sleep like we've been in the fresh air all day! Mom's even going to come up, though she won't be able to go to the Festival yet. Too much walking around for her poor back.
Also, I have FOs and WIPs!
Remember I was talking about that Candy Corn Bag? Malabrigo in Cadmium, Carrott and Chocolat felt so beautifully. Well, here it is:
The Banff (from Knitty) in Cranberry (from Knitpicks) is on the needles:
This ribbing goes on for 42 rows, this is only 18 rows - this is going to be one bulky sweater!
The XXL socks for Puck? On the needles, as you can see, with one needle snapped already. Sorry a couple of these are blurry - I was futzing with the settings on the camera - but you can see the color of this yarn - yum. What you don't see is that right after I snapped this, I had to frog the heel flap because I forgot the decrease row! Grr. I've almost made it up today, though. More knitting time tomorrow, but then I have my first high school conferences...yeek!
Yesterday, I was moping around the house threatening to turn the A/C on, (humidity and I, not such good pals), this morning I ran around the house closing up windows because it was so chilly. What a gorgeous Autumn day. In the meantime, the kids already have days off from school. HS has Thursday/Friday and K-12 has Friday.
The nice weather bodes well for my weekend. Our little town of Stone Lake has their big Cranberry Festival this weekend. Lots of little vendor/craft booths and food for sale. I invite all the womenfolk in my family to join me at our cabin so we can hang out and relax. We wander into town and do some shopping and eating, then sit around at the cabin and play games and drink until dinner time. We through something on the grill and have a little cookfest and all sleep like we've been in the fresh air all day! Mom's even going to come up, though she won't be able to go to the Festival yet. Too much walking around for her poor back.
Also, I have FOs and WIPs!
Remember I was talking about that Candy Corn Bag? Malabrigo in Cadmium, Carrott and Chocolat felt so beautifully. Well, here it is:
The Banff (from Knitty) in Cranberry (from Knitpicks) is on the needles:
This ribbing goes on for 42 rows, this is only 18 rows - this is going to be one bulky sweater!The XXL socks for Puck? On the needles, as you can see, with one needle snapped already. Sorry a couple of these are blurry - I was futzing with the settings on the camera - but you can see the color of this yarn - yum. What you don't see is that right after I snapped this, I had to frog the heel flap because I forgot the decrease row! Grr. I've almost made it up today, though. More knitting time tomorrow, but then I have my first high school conferences...yeek!
See that snapped needle there? So sad.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Yarnzilla!
So, my husband was in South Dakota this weekend, painting the old farmhouse they use as a Pheasant Hunting Headquarters. My boys had sports and sports, so I had a lot of time on my hands this weekend. I have been trying to get over to the LYS - Yarnzilla for about a month - but my timing has always been bad. What a fun little visit I had! Linda was at the sales desk and there were many knitters at tables and shopping. I am assuming that they were all regulars because of the banter and hilarity that was happening. She has a class starting October 21 for an absolutely gorgeous sweater(the "Give Yourself a Christmas Present" sweater). I love the timing, even though the sweater is not exactly my style
- I'm thinking about it. So, I picked up a couple skeins of yarn. The Trekking is for a pair of slouchy socks for the ten year old and the Mountain colors will be a pair of Jaywalkers for me! I also bought some Malabrigo (which is actually already knit into my One Skein bag - which I'm dubbing the candy corn bag; you will understand once you see the photos.) The bag should be finished tomorrow so I should have some more FO photos tomorrow!
As for today, the mittens are finished, and the bottle of wine is waiting patiently for me to open it in celebration of an FO!
I also made a stop at Knit Wits earlier this week and picked up this:
The 14 year old wants another pair of socks. I'm now going to be a sock slave.
So, my husband was in South Dakota this weekend, painting the old farmhouse they use as a Pheasant Hunting Headquarters. My boys had sports and sports, so I had a lot of time on my hands this weekend. I have been trying to get over to the LYS - Yarnzilla for about a month - but my timing has always been bad. What a fun little visit I had! Linda was at the sales desk and there were many knitters at tables and shopping. I am assuming that they were all regulars because of the banter and hilarity that was happening. She has a class starting October 21 for an absolutely gorgeous sweater(the "Give Yourself a Christmas Present" sweater). I love the timing, even though the sweater is not exactly my style
- I'm thinking about it. So, I picked up a couple skeins of yarn. The Trekking is for a pair of slouchy socks for the ten year old and the Mountain colors will be a pair of Jaywalkers for me! I also bought some Malabrigo (which is actually already knit into my One Skein bag - which I'm dubbing the candy corn bag; you will understand once you see the photos.) The bag should be finished tomorrow so I should have some more FO photos tomorrow!As for today, the mittens are finished, and the bottle of wine is waiting patiently for me to open it in celebration of an FO!
I also made a stop at Knit Wits earlier this week and picked up this:
The 14 year old wants another pair of socks. I'm now going to be a sock slave.Sunday, October 01, 2006
SP9 Questionnaire
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Gee - I like just about anything. I get a little anxious with splitty yarns and really, so not into fun furs - more than anything they make me crabby when I try to knit with them.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Circs are in a big ziplock bag, straights are in a pretty green flower vase, and the dpns usually go back into their envelopes and into a basket.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned in community ed class in 6th grade, I inherited a bag full of old needles from my Great Aunt Fanny (really). Even an ivory crochet needle that I treasure. I guess I would consider myself to be advanced intermediate. I definitely understand more than I can execute.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have a wishlist at Amazon, but I really don't know how to link to it.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Vanilla/Ginger/Orange - any combination is lovely.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I love chocolate(malted milk balls - mmm), but I also love sour (sour patch kids - mmm).
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I have been a scrapbooker/photographer for about ten years. I think if I tried to become a spinner, it would be like opening Pandora's box and NOT a good thing. I'll settle for buying other peoples pretty-pretties.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I am an ipod/itunes queen, very much into the alternative music, though I love Kelly Clarkson.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love most colors, the richer the better. I do not do well with dinner mint pastel colors, although I like pink.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am a married, SAHM with two boys, 14 and 10. We have a Chocolate Labrador who is two and a half (Kona), a cat who is ancient (Hooter) and a green anole that is going to be the death of me.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Mittens, hats and scarves, not so much the ponchos now they've had their fifteen minutes.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I've been a sweater knitter for years - but I hate to seam. Just this year I have picked up felting bags, socks and mittens. I even knit a couple of scarves.
13. What are you knitting right now? One felted bag from One Skein (that is really using two and half skeins), Banff from Knitty.com, a pair of mittens from Not Just Socks using yarn from the yarnpirate.com in Clementine, my boys are in line for socks (also from Not Just Socks), and underneath all that I have some yarn lined up for Fetching from Knitty.com. Oh yea, I'm seaming (really) a debbie bliss cardi I knit last winter.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Who doesn't?
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like wood needles, any kind. However I have Banff on Knitpicks Options.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? (sigh) Those are on my Christmas List...
17. How old is your oldest UFO? If they stay UFO for long, they get frogged, but I have a couple pair of socks I started about six months ago.
18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving, even though I usually cook. I get to drink wine too and everybody drinks along with me and we are fun!
19. Is there anything that you collect? No. I used to collect dolls as a kid. Wait, I remember! I collect wine!! Hmm, I think that means I shouldn't drink it as fast as I buy it, huh? We love Oregon Pinot Noirs and my dh loves the Washington Cabs.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I don't have any subscriptions, I pick them up as they come out.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Entrelac looks interesting to me.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes - albeit a very amateur sock knitter. I'm a size 8 1/2 shoe (US) - other than that - I'll post more specifics later.
23. When is your birthday? February 10
Edited to add WINE!
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Gee - I like just about anything. I get a little anxious with splitty yarns and really, so not into fun furs - more than anything they make me crabby when I try to knit with them.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Circs are in a big ziplock bag, straights are in a pretty green flower vase, and the dpns usually go back into their envelopes and into a basket.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned in community ed class in 6th grade, I inherited a bag full of old needles from my Great Aunt Fanny (really). Even an ivory crochet needle that I treasure. I guess I would consider myself to be advanced intermediate. I definitely understand more than I can execute.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have a wishlist at Amazon, but I really don't know how to link to it.
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) Vanilla/Ginger/Orange - any combination is lovely.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I love chocolate(malted milk balls - mmm), but I also love sour (sour patch kids - mmm).
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I have been a scrapbooker/photographer for about ten years. I think if I tried to become a spinner, it would be like opening Pandora's box and NOT a good thing. I'll settle for buying other peoples pretty-pretties.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I am an ipod/itunes queen, very much into the alternative music, though I love Kelly Clarkson.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love most colors, the richer the better. I do not do well with dinner mint pastel colors, although I like pink.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am a married, SAHM with two boys, 14 and 10. We have a Chocolate Labrador who is two and a half (Kona), a cat who is ancient (Hooter) and a green anole that is going to be the death of me.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Mittens, hats and scarves, not so much the ponchos now they've had their fifteen minutes.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I've been a sweater knitter for years - but I hate to seam. Just this year I have picked up felting bags, socks and mittens. I even knit a couple of scarves.
13. What are you knitting right now? One felted bag from One Skein (that is really using two and half skeins), Banff from Knitty.com, a pair of mittens from Not Just Socks using yarn from the yarnpirate.com in Clementine, my boys are in line for socks (also from Not Just Socks), and underneath all that I have some yarn lined up for Fetching from Knitty.com. Oh yea, I'm seaming (really) a debbie bliss cardi I knit last winter.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Who doesn't?
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like wood needles, any kind. However I have Banff on Knitpicks Options.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? (sigh) Those are on my Christmas List...
17. How old is your oldest UFO? If they stay UFO for long, they get frogged, but I have a couple pair of socks I started about six months ago.
18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving, even though I usually cook. I get to drink wine too and everybody drinks along with me and we are fun!
19. Is there anything that you collect? No. I used to collect dolls as a kid. Wait, I remember! I collect wine!! Hmm, I think that means I shouldn't drink it as fast as I buy it, huh? We love Oregon Pinot Noirs and my dh loves the Washington Cabs.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I don't have any subscriptions, I pick them up as they come out.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Entrelac looks interesting to me.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes - albeit a very amateur sock knitter. I'm a size 8 1/2 shoe (US) - other than that - I'll post more specifics later.
23. When is your birthday? February 10
Edited to add WINE!
